FAQs COVID-19 vaccinations in pregnancy (folder)

If you are unwell with a fever, call to cancel the appointment and wait until you have recovered before having the vaccine. You should not attend a vaccine appointment if you are self-isolating or waiting for a COVID-19 test or result.

You will be told about when and where to get vaccinated. On the day of the appointment, wear practical clothing so it’s easy to reach the top of your arm. If you have a fear of needles or feel anxious, let the person giving you the vaccine know. They will be understanding and support you.

It is important to have both doses of the vaccine to give you the best longer-term protection.

Keep your card safe and make sure you get your second dose.

Common side effects after the vaccination normally last less than a week. If your symptoms seem to get worse or if you are concerned, go to 111.wales.nhs.uk online, and if necessary call NHS 111 Wales by dialling 111 or your GP surgery. If 111 is not available in your area, call 0845 46 47. Calls to NHS 111 Wales are free from landlines and mobiles. Calls to 0845 46 47 cost 2p per minute plus your telephone provider’s usual charge.

If you experience any of the following from around four days to four weeks after your vaccination, you should get urgent medical advice.

• A new, severe headache which is not helped by usual painkillers or is getting worse
• An unusual headache which seems to get worse when lying down or bending over. With this headache you may also have:
  • Blurred vision, nausea and vomiting
  • Difficulty with your speech
  • Weakness, drowsiness or seizures
• New, unexplained pinprick bruising or bleeding
• Shortness of breath, chest pain, a swelling in your leg, or persistent abdominal pain

If you had any of the above symptoms after your first vaccination, you should speak to your doctor or specialist before having the second dose.

If you do get advice from a doctor or nurse, make sure you tell them about your vaccination (show them your vaccination card if possible) so that they can assess you properly.

You can also report any side effects through the Yellow Card scheme (see ‘More information’).

Like all medicines, vaccines can cause side effects. This is because vaccines work by triggering a response in your immune system. Most of these are mild and only last a few days, and not everyone gets them.

Even if you do have symptoms after the first dose, you should still have the second dose.

Very common side effects include:

• having a painful, heavy feeling and tenderness in the arm where you had the injection;
• feeling tired;
• a headache;
• general aches, chills, or flu like symptoms

There have been reports of an extremely rare condition causing blood clots and unusual bleeding following the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine. This is being carefully reviewed. Because of the high risk of complications and death from COVID-19, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency and the World Health Organization say the balance is very much in favour of vaccination. If you receive the AstraZeneca vaccine you should read the information about COVID-19 vaccination and blood clotting here: phw.nhs.wales/patientinfo.

There is no evidence that the COVID-19 vaccines will affect your fertility or your chance of becoming pregnant.

The benefits of breastfeeding are well known, and the COVID-19 vaccines are not known to be a risk when breastfeeding. The expert advice from the World Health Organization (WHO) is that the vaccine can be given to women who are breastfeeding. However, we do not yet have much safety information on the use of COVID-19 vaccines while breastfeeding.

If you are breastfeeding, or planning to breastfeed, you can continue breastfeeding after you have been vaccinated.

If you are pregnant, you should consider getting vaccinated. You are encouraged to read the Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists’ decision aid at this link: www.rcog.org.uk/covid-vaccine before attending your vaccination appointment. The information in this aid can help you make an informed decision. If you have any further questions speak to your midwife or GP.

The vaccines do not contain organisms that can multiply in the body so cannot infect an unborn baby in the womb. You cannot catch COVID-19 from the vaccines.

COVID-19 vaccines have been given to large numbers of people to make sure they meet strict standards of effectiveness and safety. Future studies will provide more information.

You do not need to avoid becoming pregnant after receiving the COVID-19 vaccination.

Having the COVID-19 vaccination does not replace the workplace risk assessment, which pregnant staff who are working should have.